Safety device for motor vehicles



0d 10, 1944- w. B. HEMPI-IILL 2,360,227

SAFETY DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed D80. 15,l 1942 66- J I n I PARKING LIGHTS 9 ,4 H l5 6I THERMOSTAT IB 56 57 m# 26 '67 54, NIAGNETLC 5 6,2 f (I n CO1 L .'24 I L DooR Roorz BRAKE GEA-r 7 65 35 36 53 22 SWITCH GwIrcH SWITCH swITcH I 65 T 63 @DOME LIGHT START El MoTof 5|-' 5 9 LIGHT 25 48 ,Y C Ill/64- 2:5 INSULATION 52 39 IGN.COIL FUEL PUMP HEAD LAMPS 34 3 ELEQWIPERS HEATER, ELEC. DEFROSTER TURN RADIO [11::- Bnventor William B. Hemphill B# @df-.

Gttomegs Patented oci. 10,1944

UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES William B. llemphill, Lansdowne, Pa.

Application December 15, i942, Serial No. 469,107

6 Claims.

This invention relates to safety devices for motor vehicles. While it is applicable generally to self-propelled vehicles including pleasure cars, it

includes automatic means rendered active .by the operators leaving the drivers seat, and when active serving to establish standing conditions. Standing conditions imply for example that the motor is stopped. the headlights ane dimmed or out, the parking lights are lighted, the interior dome light is lighted and certain auxiliary circuits are deenergized. 'I 'he requirements vary with the type of service. It may be explained at this point that starting of the motor re-establishes running conditions. Hence specifically it turns on the bright headlights,` turns out parking lights and interior domelight, and reenergizes the auxiliary circuits.

However, starting of the motor requires special manipulation, conveniently, depression of the clutch pedal, as a condition precedent to completion of the starting motor circuit. The device may also include means for automatically stopping the motor if it becomes overheated.

The heart of the mechanism is a relay including aprotective switch mechanism, the relay having two positions, in one of which it establishes running conditions and` in the other of which it establishes standing conditions.

There is applied to the clutch pedal a so-called clutch switch which upon full depression of the clutch, conditions the starting circuit to operate and'upon a slight depression of theclutch, ren-1 ders the door or other similar controls inopersible controls to indicate how any or all of them may be incorporated.

A practical embodiment ofthe invention which has gone into commercial use is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the complete s' equipment.

ative` The purpose of the latter arrangement Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the relay in position to establish running conditions. c'

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing an intermediate position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the relay latched in position to establish standing conditions.

Before describing the relay and its controlling switches certain related apparatus will be outlined.

A thermostatic switch 5 is applied to the engine and arranged to close if the engine becomes over-heated. The battery 6 is the ordinary starting and lighting battery customarily used on electrically equipped motor vehicles. It may be charged in any known way.

'I'he clutch pedal l is fulcrumed at 8 and upon depression disengages the clutch as is usual. Connected to the clutch by a spring connection 9 is a contactor II which is biased to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 by a. tension spring I2 weaker than the spring 9. When the clutch is fully engaged the contactor II bridges contacts I3. When the clutch is fully disengaged, the contactor II bridges contacts I4. In slipping positions it engages neither set of contacts. The mechanism is diagrammed as a single switch but since the contacts I3 are interposed in the control circuit whereas the contacts Il are interposed in a portion of the wholly independent starting circuit, the switch function could be carried out by separate switches closing selectively under the conditions stated. No novelty is claimed for the specific switch structure used at this point, but the functions are believed to be novel.

The starting switch I5 could desirably be a push button switch on the dash. Any normally open switch may be used. The magnetic switch I5 is controlled by the switch I5 and acts to complete the starting circuit through the starting motor Il. The parts I5, I6 and Il are connected as usual except that the circuit from switch I5 to the winding of relay switch I6 is controlledby the contactor II and contacts I4.

The light equipment of the truck comprises parking lights I8; dome light ZI, with controlling switch 22; tail light 23; and headlights 25.

All lights except the dome light may be turned ott by light switch 2l. There. is also an independent ignition switch 21. The ignition switch 21 controls the now oi' current to the ignition .coil 23 and the fuel pump 23 which typiiy apparatus normally controlled by an ignition switch.

The accessory apparatus. which need not be operable while the truck is standing, is indicated by legends and comprises any or all o! the following: horn, radio, heater. turn signals, windshield wipers, defroster and stop light. These are typical of apparatus which is or may be needed while the vehicle is moving, and which should be shut down and protected against tampering when the vehicle stands unattended.

The heart oi' the automatic control is the relay illustrated in perspective in Fig. 1 and in section in the remaining figures. There is an insulated base 3| on which is pivoted at 32 near its midlength a switch element 34 which has four resilient contact fingers whose form is best shown in the perspective view o! Fig. 1. The switch element or lever 34 has two resilient arms connected by an insulating bridge piece I9 and an insulating bridge piece 44, which also serves as a latch keeper. The left arm is connected with the positive terminal of battery 5 by wire 24 in which is interposed light switch 25. The right arm is connected with the same positive terminal by wire 4l.

The left arm has at its upper end a contactor 35 which controls the parking lights I8 and at its lower end a contactor 31 which controls the head lights 25. 'I'he right arm has at its upper enda contactor 38 which controls the dome light and at its lower end a contactor 38 which controls the connection to the ignition switch 21 and to the accessori7 apparatus above mentioned. The contactor 31 may control, in addition to the headlights, any other lights on the vehicle which should be lighted when it is in motion, for example, clearance lights, identiilcation lights and the like. The headlights illustrated are typical.

'I'he contactors 35 to 33 coact with iixed contacts mounted on the base 3l and the lever 34 is biased by a tension spring 39 in a counterclockwise direction. Above the pivot 32 the insulating bridge 44 carries an armature 43 and adjacent this armature the bridge is formed to serve as a latch keeper. The armature 43 is opposite the pole of an 'electromagnet 45 which is the main magnet of the relay. Pivoted to the base 3| at 46 is an armature 41 which has a latch nose .48 so formed that when the latch is disengaged and the lever 34 swung counter-clockwise as shown in Fig. 2, the latch is held in its disengaged position against the urge of the leaf spring 49 which biases the latch armature in the opposite direction. When the lever 34 is swung clockwise by energization oi the winding 45, the arms carrying contacts 35 and 36 are slightly ilexed and thus held under good contacting stress by the latch 48 when it engages, as indicated in Fig. 4.

'I'he latch shifts in a releasing direction against the spring 49 upon the energization of the latch magnet 5|. The amature 41 carries a light resilient contactor nger 52 which carries at its outer end a contactor 53. This coacts with the xed contact mounted on the base 3|. When the latch `is disengaged and the lever 34 is in the running position of Fig. 2, the latch nose holds -the armature 41 in such position that contact is maintained at 53. The parts are so arranged that this contact is also maintained as the lever 34 swings clockwise, (see Fig. 3) but is interrupted upon final engagement o! the latch 48 (see Fig. 4)

.The contact 53 controls the circuit through winding and protects this winding against damage by sustained ilow oi' current. 'I'he wind- :lng 5I does not require similar protection because it is energized only by holding the starting switch clod.

Connected to be operated by that door of the vehicle which is next the driver is a switch 54. This switch is so arranged that it closes except when the door is completely closed, i. e.y it is opened by the nal closing movement of the door.

There are three switches 55, 55 and 51 which are functionally similar to the switch 54. 'I'here might be any number oi. such switches connected in parallel so that the closure oi' any one of them, as a result of an abnormal position oi some part of the truck, could operate the relay as hereinafter more fully explained. The switch 55, for example, might be connected to the right hand door of the truck or to the tail gate, the mechanical connection being such that iinal closure of the door or tail gate opens the,` switch.` The switch 55 might, for example, be connected to the hand brake in such a way that the switch will close except in the fully released position of the brake. 51 is the so-called seat switch. This switch is so related mechanically to the drivers seat that ii' the'driver leaves the seat, the switch will close. 'I'hus the switch will perform its intended function if the driver leaves the cab or if he merely jounces upon the seat as an incident to unreasonably rough riding. All the switches 54, 55, 56, 51 are controlled by the contactor II and contacts I3. 'I'he thermostatic switch 5 is connected in parallel with the switches just mentioned, but is not controlled by contactor II. If it is desired, certain of the switches such as 5l need not be controlled by contactor II but could be connected as is the thermostatic switch 5.

'I'he connections are diagrammed as follows:

A wire 58 is connected with wire 4| and' leads to one contact I3 of the clutch switch. The other contact I3 is connected to one terminal of switches 54 to 51 by wire 5I. 'I'he wire 58 is directly connected to one terminal of thermostatic switch 5. The other terminals of switches 54, 55, 55, 51 and 5 are connected by wire 52 to contactor 53.

The contact with which contactor 53 coacts is connected by wire 53 with one terminal of wincing 45, whose other terminal is grounded at 6 Under running conditions the relay is in the position of Fig. 2 in which position the parking lights and the dome light are out, the bright headlights are on and the ignition circuit is energized (assuming of course that the ignition switch 21 is closed). If the driver opens` the left hand door, the switch -54 will close, and unless at the same time he partly depresses the clutch pedal l, the relay will shiftv to position of Fig. 4 and latch there, establishing standing conditions. Thus if the driver'disengages, or slips his clutch as he would do in backing, he may open the left hand door for the purpose of looking backward.

Except as. just speciiied, the opening of any door will energize magnet 45 and establish standing conditions. Application of the hand brake or leaving the drivers seat will each energize magnet 45 and thus establish standing conditions, unless the clutch be depressed concur- Restoration of running conditions is effected by proper use of the starter. The starting motor I'I is fed through line 65 and the line 66 which leads from battery 6 under the control of magnet switch IB. 'I'he winding of magnet switch I6 is interposed between wire vGli and. a wire 6l which leads to one contact I4 of the clutchy switch. The other contact I4 is connected by wire B8 to one terminal of switch I5. The other terminal of switch I is grounded at 69. A branch of wire 65 leads to one terminal of winding 5I, whose other terminal is grounded at 1I.

To summarize, the driver can operate the car only with the doors properly closed and the proper lights turned on. He lcannot drive with the dome light on. ThisI prevents the practice of driving while reading `ix'oute lists. If the driver leaves the seat or opens any door or applies the hand brake without depressing the clutch pedal, standing conditions are irnmediately established. Before he can re-establish running conditions, he must fully depress the clutch and operate the starting button. Ii he does this, and if the faulty condition has been rectified, that is, if all doors are closed, etc. he can start the engine, but if there is any abnormal condition, the winding 45 will be energized and the relay cannot shift from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 2 notwithstanding the retraction of the latch I8. Hence the controls are completely automatic and impose safe conditions.

It will be observed that if the vehicle is parked with the driver seat occupied, and the doors closed, the engine can be stopped by opening the switch 21 without causing the relay to shift to the position of Fig. 4. This is useful in pleasure cars because it would permit the radio and heater to be operated while the car is parked.

While particular arrangements have been described in considerable detail, an effort has been made to explain the general applicability of the invention and the :possibility of making various specific installations within the broad scope of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. In a safety system, the combination of a motor vehicle having an electric ignition circuit, an engine starter circuit, a running light circuit, a standing light circuit and at least one safety' component whose position is critical to the safe operation of the vehicle; a source of electric current; a relay switch adapted to assume a position in which it serves to interrupt the standing light circuit and alternatively a position in which y,

tor vehicle having a standing circuit and a running circuit; a source of current for supplying said circuits; an electric relay switch adapted to close said circuits selectively and including means biasing said relay to a position in which the running circuit is closed and electromotive means for shifting the relay against said bias; means operable by the driver in the act of leaving the vehicle and serving to energize said electromotive means and thus shift the relay to the position in which the standing circuit is closed; a latch for retaining said relay in the last named position; and a switch actuated by said latch and serving upon engagement of the latch to deenergize said electromotive means.

3. In a safety system, the combination of a motor vehicle having a standing circuit and a running circuit; a source of current for supplying said circuits; an electric relay switch adapted to close said circuits selectively and including means biasing said relay to a position in which the running circuit is closed and electromotive means for shifting the relay against said bias; means operable by the driver in the act of leaving thel vehicle and serving to energize said electromotive means and thus shift the. relay to the position in which the standing circuit is closed; a latch for retaining said relay in the last named position; a switch actuated by said latch and serving upon engagement of the latch to deenergize said electromotive means; .an engine starter circuit; and electric means rendered active upon energization of said starter circuit and serving to disengage said latch.

4. The combination of a motor vehicle having a source of electric current, a starting circuit, an ignition circuit, lighting circuits respectively appropriate to running and standing conditions, and components whose position is critical to the safe operation of the vehicle; a selector switch having a running position in which it interrupts the standing lighting circuits, and a standing position in which it interrupts the ignition circuit and the running lighting circuits; means biasing the selector switch to running position; an electromagnet which when energized shifts the selector switch to standing position; a latch for retaining the selector switch in the last named position; a plurality of safety switches arranged to be closed by respective components when in unsafe positions, said safety switches being connec'ted in parallel in a safety control circuit from the source through said electromagnet; a switch controlled by said latch and serving when the latch is engaged to interrupt said safety control circuit; and an electromagnet interposed in said starting circuit and serving when energized to disengage said latch.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 in which the vehicle has a clutch, and one of the safety switchesis a door switch arranged to be closed by the opening of a door, and a clutch-operated switch is connected in series with said door switch and is arranged to be closed only when the clutch is fully engaged.

6. 'I'he combination dened in claim 4 in which the vehicle has a clutch, and one of the safety switches is a door switch arranged to be closed by the opening of a door, and clutch operated switching means are interposed, both in the starting circuit and in series with said door switch, the arrangement being such that the safety circuit to the door switch is interrupted unless the clutch is fully engaged, and the starting circuit is interrupted unless the clutch is fully disengaged.

WILLIAM B. HEMPHILL. 

